Hello, I'm a marine biologist with a focus on echinoderms, which includes starfish or, more scientifically, sea stars. One of the most fascinating aspects of studying these creatures is understanding their life cycles and longevity.

The lifespan of a starfish can vary greatly depending on the species. Some common species like the common sea star (Asterias rubens) may live for about 5 to 10 years, while larger species such as the orange sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) can live for up to 35 years. However, the longest-lived known starfish species is the sunflower star (Pycnopodia helianthoides), which can live for an impressive 35 to 80 years.

It's important to note that these are general estimates and individual starfish may live shorter or longer lives due to various factors such as predation, disease, water quality, and availability of food.

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Seastars can live up to 35 years in the wild! It really depends on the species. Their wild habitat includes coral reefs, rocky coasts, sandy bottom, or even the deep sea of all the world's oceans. There are approximately 1,800 different types of sea stars.read more >>